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Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact us for answers to your questions not shown in our FAQs.
- What is SpotScout?
- Simply put, SpotScout helps you find parking!
It also allows you to make money from having a space others might want to use or from giving up your departure information from a space. (we call this SpotCasting)
We can find you the cheapest/closest Garage or even a spot in someone's driveway!
Garage operators - we'll help you fill those empty spaces!
Driveway owners - that space of yours could be earning you extra cash!
To learn more, visit our blog about the SpotScout Marketplace.
- What is SpotCasting?
- "SpotCasting" is the act of broadcasting the information about your spot to allow other to use it.
(eg: your driveway)
- Can I be a SpotScout AND a SpotCaster?
- Definitely - we encourage you to take advantage of both sides of the equation. You’ll be able to find a space more easily AND reap the rewards of posting your spot.
- Do I have to signup to use SpotScout?
- No. You can use SpotScout without signing up but creating an account has many benefits:
- You can save your frequently visited locations to make finding parking a breeze.
- You can post your own spaces (SpotCasting)
- You can even guarantee yourself a space and reserve in advance!
- Where can I use SpotScout?
- SpotScout currently has garage parking information for Boston and New York City and we will be adding more cities all the time!
- You can however SpotCast your driveway or apartment space no matter where you are in the United States!
- Is SpotScout for use from a computer or a mobile device?
- SpotScout is currently accessible from any computer or MID (Mobile Internet device).
We will be releasing a mobile friendly version very soon so that you can find all the same information on the go!
- Will I need to download SpotScout to my phone, like I do with a ringtone or game?
- No you do not have to download anything to your phone or device. As long as your cell phone or mobile device can get to the web, you will not need to download anything at all.
- Why were there no results when I searched for parking?
- We may also not yet be available in your city or there may not be any parking available in the location you requested or at the time you requested. Try widening your search...
In some cases there may be areas where there simply is no available parking, in which case you should probably take public transportation.
This is a new concept and it will take time for the service to reach everywhere.
We ask for your patience while our marketplace increases in size.
- I've heard that your service is free! If so, how does SpotScout make money?
- Yes, SpotScout is completely free!
Garages pay us a small transaction fee for bringing them traffic.
- Will SpotScout be available nationwide?
- Yes. SpotScout will launch nationwide but initially we have been concentrating on establishing partnerships with garages and private SpotCasters in our primary test markets: Boston, New York, and San Francisco.
If you want SpotScout to work well in your area it’s up to you to spread the word and get people to add spots to the network! We encourage you to begin SpotCasting and SpotScouting.
If at first you can’t find the space you want, remember, the more people that join and share information, the more likely that you will find that perfect spot!
- Can SpotScout be used by my company employees or sales staff?
- Absolutely. Being late because you can't find parking is bad for business.
- Can any phone use your service, or do I need a high-end phone?
- Any web-enabled phone or MID (Mobile Internet Device) will work with SpotScout. Good ones, bad ones, ugly ones, cool ones...
- Can I use SpotScout through my in-car personal navigation system or OnStar?
- We are working to make SpotScout available through like-minded personal navigation companies in the near future - hopefully by mid of 2008.
- I know by posting my space, I can make some money, but is it really true I am helping the environment?
- Yes, it is true. When you drive from point A to point B without circling the block 20 times to find a parking space, you save gas. That extra gas would have become harmful emissions. Multiplied by thousands of people in thousands of cities what seems to be a small reduction becomes dramatically more significant.
With more people finding spots quickly it decreases congestion and idling time, all of which helps reduce our collective carbon footprints.
- The percentage of people in my area looking for parking is quite high. How does this hurt the environment?
- As much as 40-50% of a city's traffic can be caused by people looking for parking.
When SpotScout is able to tell a driver where a space will be and how long they can use it, that person saves time, gas, and money. We feel you'd like to do something better with your time, like spend it at your destination time or with your family and friends.
- How will I pay for a transaction?
- When you create a SpotScout account., we ask you for your credit card details so that we can securely credit/debit your account directly. We will accept all major credit cards and online payment methods like PayPal. Additionally, students at participating universities will be able to use campus cash cards instead of cash.
- After posting my private space, how will I be paid?
- After both parties rate each other, the money will be electronically credited to your SpotScout account. The SpotScout and SpotCaster are both prompted to rate each to ensure the parking space has been used successfully, and that each party is happy with the outcome.
Questions about SpotScouting
- What does “SpotScout” mean?
- SpotScout (verb) - To seek information on parking availability via a web-based information network. The term "SpotScout" refers to the act of “scouting” for reliable information on the availability of parking in high-demand areas. SpotScouting reduces your reliance on visual cues to find a parking space by providing insight into the intentions of others to either make a space available to you (via reservation), or to depart from a space at a particular time (increasing the chances of your getting that space over others lacking this information). SpotScout (noun) - A person who seeks information on available parking via a web-based information network.
- How far in advance can SpotScout help me find a parking spot?
- There is no set reservation period. SpotScout is a real-time information marketplace. Depending on when what parties are offering their spaces (or information about the availability of a space), a person may have 2 minutes, an hour or perhaps even a month's notice to reserve a spot.
- My family and I have several cars and they all differ in size. How will the system know which car I am driving?
- During the registration process we’ll ask you to enter information about each car you’ll be using. Then, every time you make a reservation SpotScout will prompt you to confirm which car you are driving.
- Can SpotScout direct me to the garage nearest my destination?
- Yes. We can even tell you how much it will charge you for the hours you want to be there, as well as where the walking entrances and exits are, what payment options are accepted and any other information you might need.
You can also choose from a list of filters when you look for a spot. The two most often used filters are “closest” and “cheapest”, but you can also search by rating, garage only, private only, on-street only, handicapped, commercial or resident only.
If your destination validates for a certain garage, we will let you know!
- Calling on a cellular phone can be distracting while driving. Won't it take my eyes off the road?
- As with making a call, accessing and searching the marketplace for a spot is safer when pulled over to the side of the road. It takes an average of less than a minute to use to view results and choose a space, so we recommend pulling over to the side of the road in a safe place if you are alone, or giving your phone to a passenger for the search. Sixty seconds is nothing compared to the time most people spend searching for parking in high demand areas.
- Should I rate garages, just like I'd rate a private SpotCaster?
- Yes. Garages that take greater pride in the appearance, maintenance and safety of their property will naturally receive higher ratings. This allows you when thinking about making a reservation to make an informed decision about the garage you choose to do business with.
*Note: Garages do not rate SpotScouts.
Questions about SpotCasting
- What does “SpotCast” mean?
- SpotCast (verb) - To broadcast information about parking availability to a marketplace via a web-based information network. The term "SpotCast" is a combination of the words “spot” and “broadcast.” SpotCasting a space informs others what particular time it will be available and exactly where it is. Sharing information about when and where space will be available in crowded places is a valuable community service that we seek to encourage through our mobile information network and marketplace.
SpotCaster (noun) – A person who broadcasts information to others about parking availability to a marketplace via a web-based information network. SpotCasters can be either individuals or institutions: Individual SpotCasters may either own (or lease) a private space, or plan to depart from a public space at a specific time. Institutional SpotCasters (garage/parking lots) own and professionally manage a number of parking spaces.
- My spot will not accommodate an SUV, can you restrict what vehicles park in my spot?
- During the registration process we ask drivers to enter information about their vehicle including vehicle type. When SpotCasting we also ask you whan the largest vehicle type you spot can accommodate. We then simply filter the results accordingly to avoid sending someone in a vehicle that won’t fit.
- I rent my parking space (or share it as part of my condominium community), can I still SpotCast it?
- In this situation we recommend getting approval/permission to SpotCast your space.
- I don't have a car, so why would I sign up?
- If you have a driveway or a space with your house or apartment, you could be earning money from it. The same premise applies for SpotScout as applies for eBay; If it’s not being used, it could be earning you money.
If you are an occasional car renter, SpotScout will very likely come in handy during your travels.
You can also use SpotScout to help you find spaces for visting friends or relatives who may be arriving from out of town.
Remember, signing up is free!
- I have a driveway. Can I make money from it by broadcasting its availability to the network?
- Yes! Every time your monthly space or driveway is empty it could be earning you money.
- How do you price a private space when SpotCasting?
- SpotScout is a free and open marketplace. SpotScout does not fix prices; we only provide the marketplace and communications between parties. We won't tell you what you can get for your space. Our recommendation is to assess what your environment might be like ahead of time, and price accordingly. Maybe even visit a local garage and look at their rates. The simple rule is that if you post your space and you don't get any bidders, you might be overpricing it. You can easily re-post it with a lower rate anytime you want.
- Will I know in advance who is taking my private space?
- To protect our users’ privacy, we do not provide SpotCasters with actual names, or license plate numbers of incoming SpotScouts. You will however receive the make, model, year and color of the incoming vehicle and the person's user name and their rating on our marketplace. You can choose when SpotCasting to accept bids only from those with a certain rating for instance.
- In that case, what will the SpotScout receive?
- The SpotScout will receive a confirmation code, map and driving directions to your private spot. When you SpotCast, you can add multiple descriptions to your posting. You can choose preset messages like: "Please be courteous, I have neighbors." Or "Please do not leave any trash behind." Or you can text in your own: "Park next to the steps, and away from the flowers." This helps describe the behavior you expect of your SpotScout if they are to receive a good rating from you.
- I already post my spot with Craigslist. What’s the difference between SpotScout and Craigslist?
- Craigslist is great if you want to find a spot to park your car for a week, a month or longer. It is not so great if you want to find a spot for a day or even an hour. The Craigslist process is not really designed to deal with items like parking which come and go very quickly.
Unlike SpotScout, Craigslist is not a site dedicated to helping you find parking which means that you will be less likely to find what you are looking for.
- I manage/own a garage. How will this benefit my business?
- SpotScout gives you an ability to take advanced reservations from people who might have never known of your facilities location, rates, or reputation. You can decide exactly how much inventory you want to place on our market and how much you want to charge for it, in real time and all through a single, easy-to-use web-based interface. This can help you increase your sales with very little effort.
- How can a SpotCaster sell a public space if they don't own it?
- A SpotCaster cannot sell a public space. No one can sell a public space. However, access to information about a specific vehicle's time and place of departure can significantly increase your chances of being first in line to use it.
- How do you make sure that people don't SpotCast false information?
- Both the SpotScout and SpotCaster must rate each other on punctuality, location quality and ease of transaction. Like eBay, the vast majority of users look at other user’s ratings and feedback before deciding to trade. If a user SpotCasts false or incorrect information they are likely to receive a bad rating which in turn will decrease the likelihood that someone will trade with them in the future.
Any abuse of the system will be taken very seriously.
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